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December 2015 Moms
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Dealing with my boss has been an emotional challenge

themarievonthemarievon member
in December 2015 Moms
I told my boss about my pregnancy early on because I have working conditions (xrays and anesthesia) that dictate that I am upfront. However, my boss has been less than understanding and is very good at dictating what I can and can not do because "he doesn't want to take liability" for my baby. Its my baby, I am in contact with a great OB and we have thoroughly discussed what I should/should not be doing. I am offended by his claims of liability (like as an employee that is all he is concerned about is "his liability"). Furthermore I have told him multiple times I am due Dec 20. He passed out our on call schedule last week and has me on Christmas and the weekend after. Since its a small business I don't qualify for FMLA (< 50 ppl), but his idea of reasonable time it 3-4 weeks unpaid. I asked for six weeks and got "we will cross that bridge when we get there" as a response. I currently work 60ish hours per week + on call 2-3 nights/week. All this stress is really weighing on me lately and I am not sure how to appropriately communicate to him what I want/need because I feel like he doesn't listen to me (in one ear out the other). Is anyone else have problems with this? I wish we had a more strict maternity leave laws so bad.... just because I work for a small business doesn't mean I don't want appropriate maternity leave. It's exhausting and really overshadowing my excitement right now.

The good news.....My husband gets paid paternity leave for up to 12 weeks. And we are both love kids and are super excited for this little one to join our family! 
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Re: Dealing with my boss has been an emotional challenge

  • littleSkittle14littleSkittle14 member
    edited July 2015
    I didn't get FMLA at my last job/last pregnancy (I was a first year teacher), but the HR dept told me to apply for disability to get the time off. It was 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a c section (which I ended up needing). Perhaps you could look into that?

    3-4 weeks off is ridiculous. And even if the baby comes 1-2 weeks early, ain't no way you should be working Christmas this year!

    ETA- I don't think you're necessarily guaranteed to receive full pay while on short term disability, but it might help you secure the time off! Good luck!
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  • themarievonthemarievon member
    I don't know where to start to look into disability. I have disability coverage for short term in my contract, but I didn't know that applied to pregnancy!? Cool thanks for that I really appreciate it and will definiately be looking into it
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  • littleSkittle14littleSkittle14 member
    It did in my case, since I didn't qualify for FMLA. If you have an HR dept, it couldn't hurt to ask!
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  • czirbsczirbs member
    As an HR person, I'd highly recommend talking with your HR (it might just be one person if you don't have many employees) about your options.

    The other thing I would suggest doing is talking with your OB if your supervisor is not approving you to be gone at least 6 weeks; every doctor I've ever worked with for an employee needing maternity leave has said the minimum time an individual needs to be off work is 6 weeks following delivery (8 weeks for a C-section). Your OB should be able to provide you with a note for your work to that effect. Hope this helps! Sorry to hear you've got such a dense, non-supportive boss.
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  • TaylovesbradTaylovesbrad member
    He sounds awful. I have no advice but I would feel the same way. Cant.imagine.
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  • yl1m32015yl1m32015 member
    Oh boy. Sorry you're having to deal with all that, sounds very stressful and frustrating. 3-4 weeks is not long enough at all! And you certainly won't be working on Christmas. That's such a tough situation.
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    Schedule a meeting with HR or your company's equivalent. 

    You're being discriminated against. 
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  • ChiccoBeanzChiccoBeanz member
    I agree with @groovylocks. Totally call HR and ask some questions. I'd review my contract as well, if I were you, and I'm a little nuts, so I'd probably look up legal statutes on the subject. You don't have to take it that far, at least not yet, but I like to know the whole subject when it comes to situations like these. 

    Also @czirbs made a great suggestion. Definitely get the written documentation of your needs from your doc. Give your boss a copy and keep the original. I also suggest having the copy you give him time stamped by your office personnel. Do you use email at your office, with each other I mean? If so, when you follow up, make sure you mention the most recent prior conversation you had with your supervisor and any documentation or what have you that you submitted. I know it sounds a little paranoid, but in the event this situation gets stickier, it is better to have the documentation to CYA. I hope this all works out for you and your family. I'm also sorry you have to go through this. 
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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  • ChiccoBeanzChiccoBeanz member
    @littleskittle14, if you don't mind my asking, what state do you teach in? I'm surprised you weren't able to get FMLA. Are you a part of the UFT? I feel like there has to be something the union could have done to help you. 
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
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